From his training camp in Riverside, California, Lopez discusses his thoughts as he takes one step closer to accomplishing his career goals.

Lopez: "As any fighter in this sport, I want to face the best and prove myself worthy against the best opposition. We all dream of the big lights, the big stage; we all envision a fight against the likes of Khan, Maidana, Bradley or Morales, but we all have to pay our dues, we have to earn it to be mentioned on the same sentence. So all I am really looking for is to climb to higher ground, to get noticed, and my immediate goal is to face and beat Jessie Vargas. A victory against him will catapult me to another plateau, once there I can begin to appreciate every detail of my journey, all the ups and downs of my career and personal life."

What kind of training schedule have you been keeping to prepare yourself for Jessie Vargas?

"I have been working with Herb Larkin, my strength and condition coach, on core exercises, running drills and aquatic exercises. Each day we start at 10:00 A.M. so that I am well rested and prepared for the intense workout. Also, every evening I workout with my boxing trainer Henry Ramirez. We hit mitts, spar, hit the bag. We're putting in the work and the improvement in my conditioning is obvious. There is an absolute difference.

What about your diet?

It's funny but the truth is I cook for myself. The key is cooking healthy and keeping it simple. I notice that my body feels it's best when I stick to chicken or fish and eat fresh vegetables.

How does your left hand feel?

"My hand feels fine. It has healed. As soon as I suffered an injury during my last fight my trainer [Henry Ramirez] took me to the Riverside Sports Clinic to see Jim Winn and rehabilitation therapy worked well.

What is the significance of this fight against Jessie Vargas?

I have had fights where I train hard but this is by far the fight where I am most physically prepared; not only because of my strength and conditioning program but because I was already training a month before I took this fight. Moreover, I am extremely motivated because it is televised on HBO Pay-Per-View and I am aware that this is a huge opportunity to showcase my skills.

I deserve this opportunity because I have worked hard. I have been hearing what some people are saying, that Vargas is the future of the division, I've also heard that I am good opposition for him. But let me be clear, there is no future for Jessie without him facing his most immediate present. I know about stepping stones, I've had a few, his people and Jessie himself should be aware that I am not a pebble on his yellow brick road, I am freight train going through Vargas Ville.

What are your thoughts on Jessie Vargas?

Jessie is a good, young, talented fighter but we will see what happens after September 17.

"STAR POWER" is a mega-event taking place on Saturday, Sept. 17 from two world-class cities with three world titles at stake. Floyd Mayweather and Victor Ortiz will face off in a 12-round fight for Ortiz's WBC Welterweight World Title from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Canelo Alvarez and Alfonso Gomez will do battle in a 12-round fight for Alvarez's WBC Super Welterweight World Title from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif. Also live in Las Vegas, will be Erik Morales vs. Lucas Matthysse in a 12 round fight for the vacant WBC Super Lightweight World Title and an opening fight featuring undefeated rising star Jessie Vargas against top contender Josesito Lopez who is co-promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions and Goossen Tutor Promotions. The mega event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, DeWALT Tools and AT&T. Alvarez vs. Gomez is presented in association with Canelo Promotions and Morales vs. Matthysse is presented in association with Box Latino Promotions and Arano Box Promotions.

The HBO Pay-Per-View® telecast beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 92 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View®, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Mayweather vs. Ortiz fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.

Tickets for Mayweather vs. Ortiz are priced at $1,250, $1,000 and $600, not including applicable service charges, with a total ticket limit of ten (10) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Tickets for Alvarez vs. Gomez, priced at $300, $150, $75 and $50, are on sale now and available for purchase online at ticketmaster.com, via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available at STAPLES Center box office.

Polley, a twelve year journeyman, has shared the squared circle with a virtual who’s who of heavyweights and should give David a tough test come October 15th at Cohen Stadium, Home of the El Paso Diablos.

“I didn’t expect to be fighting this soon,” stated the 6’5” knock out king. “I was planning on possibly stepping back in the ring in November or December in Vegas or Biloxi, but Speaking Rock Casino made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, and so we’re back in El Paso.”

Rodriguez is happy to be back in his home town and can’t wait to put on a true display of heavyweight power under the bright lights of Cohen Stadium.

“Because of my knock out performance against Owen Beck, I know that the big boys of the division are looking at me and I plan on making another statement on October 15th when I face Byron Polley,” admitted “El Nino”.

While Rodriguez doesn’t want to look past his upcoming opponent, the 33 year old heavyweight recognizes that the fight community wants to see him in the ring with a true contender.

“I know the bout that the public wants is a fight between me and Chris Arreola,” observes David Rodriguez. “A fight with Arreola will probably happen next year and I feel that it’s inevitable. If I am going to become the heavyweight champion of the world, I will have to fight the best, and Arreola will more than likely be standing in my way.”

“When that fight does happen, I will be more than ready. But, first I have to take care of business on October 15th and cannot afford to look past Byron Polley.”

Also fighting at “The Battle at the Ballpark” will be six-time National Amateur Champion and El Paso’s sweetheart Jennifer Han (3-1).

Albuquerque’s Raymundo Montes will also be in action on the undercard against El Paso’s Evaristo Primero.

Tickets are available now at the Cohen Stadium Box Office or at 915-755-2000, Sponsored by the Speaking Rock Entertainment.

“Battle at the Ballpark” is presented by Speaking Rock Casino and Zeferino Entertainment. This will be the first installment of a Multi-date agreement executed between both parties to bring Professional Boxing back to the Cohen Stadium in El Paso Texas.

Perez defeats Jimenez

Salinas, Calif. (September 2, 2011) - Northern California fight fans witnessed another exciting night of boxing presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Don Chargin Productions with tonight's seven-fight card at the Salinas Sports Complex in Salinas. If you missed the live action or the TeleFutura "Sólo Boxeo Tecate" broadcast, below is a summary of the results: